Maricar Reyes endured 'excruciating eye pain' for 3 days after wearing expired contact lenses

Maricar Reyes reminded the public to be responsible when wearing contact lenses after her experience a few months ago led her to a trip to the emergency room.

In a Tiktok video, the actress said she could not open her eyes for three days due to excruciating pain after she wore expired colored contact lenses for around 12 hours.

Maricar said she felt a little pain but shrugged it off as normal and went to sleep after removing the lenses. But the pain got worse and eventually became unbearable, so she was rushed to the hospital.

She was given medication and sent home after two hours, but she had to go back after the pain returned with a vengeance. She was given a stronger dose of painkillers.

"For the next three days, halos hindi ko madilat 'yung mga mata ko sa sobrang sakit at maga," she said. "It turns out meron pala akong corneal abrasions or malalaking gasgas sa magkabilang cornea or 'yung parte ng mata kung saan nakapatong ang contact lens."

Maricar is aware that contact lenses should only be worn for a maximum of eight hours, but she still pushed through with it.

"Sa tagal-tagal kong nagcocontact lens na sinusuot ko mga 12, 15 hours sa taping tas minsan expired pa bakit ngayon lang nangyari 'to," she said.

"Well, kahit ano pa ang excuse ko hindi pa rin mawawala ang bottom line na naging iresponsable ako. Masyado akong naging kampante kasi for many years walang masamang nangyayari," she added.

Maricar said she learned from the ophthalmologist that contact lenses are not one-size fits all, as they restrict the flow of oxygen to the cornea.

"Para makahinga nang maayos ang cornea, dapat maganda ang fit at material nung contact lens. Kung hindi, para siyang nasasakal. And if every day for more than eight hours parang nasasakal 'yung mata natin hindi maiiwasan na baka magkaroon ng complications or damage over time," she said.

The actress said her corneal abrasions healed after seven days, but it could have been worse for her.

"Sabi ng ophthalmologist ko, napakasuwerte ko daw dahil sa laki ng mga sugat ko sa mata, puwede akong magkaroon ng mga peklat or mga puti-puti sa paningin ko, habang buhay," she said.

Maricar then told her followers to be careful when using contact lenses.

"Huwag mong paabutin sa level ko na bigla ka na lang magigising na may sugat ka na sa mata at kailangan mong tumakbo sa ER dahil sa sobrang sakit," she said. "Magpatingin at magpa-advice sa ophthalmologist para maalagaan ng tama ang mga mata mo."

@maricareyespoon Masyadong nakampante???? #learningontiktok #advice #advicetok #contactlens #opthalmologist #eyecare #maricarreyespoon #maricarreyesbook ? original sound - Maricar Reyes-Poon